Nuisance Ants

General Info

There are many species of Nuisance ants that invade our homes – they come in all different sizes and colors

Some species names are Pharaoh, Argentine, Pavement, and Odorous house ant

When one ant finds food or water they will lay down a chemical trail that guides other worker ants to the source - you will see trails of ants going back and forth from the food or water

Where They Nest

Household nuisance ants build their colony both indoors (in wall voids or under flooring) and outdoors

If outdoors, the colonies are often built close to the home and are hidden in the soil or under objects on the ground

What They Want From You

These ants are seen indoors when they search for food to bring back to the colony

They are known to eat many different types of food, and they can even change their food preferences during the year

Why They’re A Problem

Nuisance ants can infest and contaminate your food

Tips & Tricks

Cleaning and tidiness is the key! Eliminate food, water, and other things that attract ants:

Remove food spills and exposed food

Store food in sealed containers

Dry out bathtubs and sinks after use

Rinse glass, metal, plastic, and paper food containers before recycling/throwing them out

Clean all kitchen surfaces and vacuum spilled dried food often

Avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink

Keep food out of bedrooms and living rooms

Cover or clean up any pet food that may have spilled from your pet's dish

Seal up entryways to help keep them out:

Caulk any cracks or crevices where ants can enter your home from outside or neighboring units

Make sure your windows and doors fit tightly

Avoid putting organic mulch next to your foundation, which provides an ideal place for outdoor ants to build their colony and then invade your home

Do not store items like firewood near the home, which provides a convenient outdoor area for ants to live and make a colony

Avoid common mistakes

Continue to treat problem areas even after all ants are gone (others can re-invade)

When using ant baits, do not place them on areas that have been sprayed with an aerosol or liquid insecticide - ants traveling over sprayed areas will die before they have a chance to bring the bait back to the colony